Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the Israeli people for their “resistance” during the fighting, in a special statement from the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv. He claims that the objectives of the Gaza operation were met with precision.
He thanked all officials involved in military, civilian and public relations efforts during the fighting. Everyone came together to ensure Israel’s security, according to Netanyahu.
According to Time of Israel, he said that “the only consideration” he had in the operation was “maintaining the security of Israel” and “protecting the lives of its citizens and soldiers”, and that not everything about the outcome and impact of the Israeli attacks is still known to the public, or even to Hamas.
“We did bold and innovative things, without getting caught up in any unnecessary disaster. If I had believed it necessary, I would have ordered it but we have acted with determination, wisdom and supreme responsibility… I consider it my responsibility to protect our mothers, sons, soldiers and prevent unnecessary loss of life“- said Netanyahu.
“Therefore, we have inflicted maximum casualties on Hamas while minimizing Israeli casualties,” he said, expressing grief for any civilian lives lost.
He added that Israel had met its target of giving Hamas an “unimaginable blow” by destroying the network of terror tunnels it had built in Gaza, which it said had turned into a “death trap”. as well as giving “mass shocks” both above ground and underground.
A ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Friday morning after Egypt brokered an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end 11 days of conflict. Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad later confirmed the ceasefire in a statement, saying it would take effect at 2:00 a.m. Friday (23:00 GMT Thursday). At least 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, have been killed in Israeli bombings. From the Israeli side, 12 people, including two children, were killed.